Valuable meteorites found in Greensburg resident's home

Tuesday

May 8, 2007 at 12:01 AMMay 8, 2007 at 8:19 AM

Greensburg is known for owning what was once the world’s largest pallasite meteorite, a 1,000-pound specimen. A recently unearthed meteorite weighing in at three-quarters of a ton also found in Greensburg could be worth millions, according to the locals.

Emilie Arkin

The somber mood of Greensburg, Kan., was shattered Monday afternoon as cheers erupted from the remnants of Harold and Sarah Schmidt’s home on Main Street.

Like nearly all the homes that once lined Greensburg’s streets, it wasdestroyed. It was picked up and moved from the southeast corner of the street to the southwest corner of the street.

While the couple were not digging, their family was. And they struck gold, orrather meteorite, according to family friend Bryan Williams, of Dallas, who was helping the Schmidt clan.

“We found the meteorites, all six of them,” he said.

In fact, the crew had been searching specifically for the pallasite meteorites, Williams said.

“They’re valuable,” he said.

Greensburg is known for owning what was once the world’s largest pallasite meteorite, a 1,000-pound specimen. A recently unearthed meteorite weighing in at three-quarters of a ton also found in Greensburg could be worth millions, according to the locals.

The family hopes that the rare and precious finds will help them finance anew home, since theirs was not insured.

“This is a chance to help them out,” Williams said.

The crew had been searching since about 9 a.m. for the meteorites, accordingto Jamie Jellison, a member of the Schmidt family.

The Schmidts had found the rocks on their farm outside of town in the pastyear and had them stowed in their home.